New Delhi: Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MP and Harvard alumnus Raghav Chadha has voiced strong support for Harvard University and its international student community, following a controversial decision by U.S. President Donald Trump to ban the institution from enrolling foreign students for the upcoming academic year.
Chadha took to social media to express solidarity, stating, “President Trump’s recent move threatens the dreams and futures of international students at Harvard and beyond. As a proud member of the Harvard community, I wear my colours to show support for inclusion and academic freedom.”
The decision, announced by the U.S. government, revokes Harvard’s certification under the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP), stripping the university of its ability to sponsor F- and J-visas for the 2025–26 academic year. The university called the move “unlawful and unwarranted” and said it is retaliatory in nature due to Harvard’s resistance to federal interference in its academic operations.
Harvard University has since filed a legal complaint and is seeking a temporary restraining order to halt the policy. In an official statement, the university said, “This action imperils the futures of thousands of students and scholars across Harvard and serves as a warning to countless others across the U.S. We are committed to supporting our global community and defending academic freedom.”
The White House, however, defended the action, stating, “Enrolling foreign students is a privilege, not a right.” It further accused Harvard of fostering anti-American and anti-Semitic sentiments, particularly in the wake of campus protests linked to the Israel-Hamas conflict.
White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson told CNN that Harvard leadership had “repeatedly failed” to address issues impacting domestic students and must now face the consequences.
The ongoing dispute reflects a broader clash between academic institutions and the current administration, which has intensified scrutiny of diversity and inclusion policies as well as foreign involvement in U.S. higher education.
Meanwhile, Chadha emphasized that global collaboration and academic freedom must be protected. “I stand with @Harvard and all international students whose dreams and futures are under threat,” he wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
